Lockdown restrictions eased in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester’s skating rinks, conference centres, exhibition halls, soft play centres, bowling alleys, and casinos are finally able to reopen their doors to customers this Tuesday (September 8) following an abrupt U-turn and subsequent closure of businesses attributed to the sudden spike of COVID-19 cases in the area.  Apart from Bolton, where COVID restrictions are still in effect due to the high number of cases, COVID-19 restrictions imposed on Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire are now easing, bringing the north in line with the changes with the rest of England.  

The relaxation of measures will also apply to indoor entertainment facilities and close contact services. However, the ban on householding mixing and meeting indoors is still in effect in Greater Manchester except in Stockport and Wigan.  

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has welcomed the easing of restrictions for various establishments and business while also expressing that Bolton’s restriction easement situation is understandable for the time being.  In light of this, he also added that he will be working hard with Bolton’s council and partners to have businesses reopen as soon as possible.  

The director of public health for Lancashire, Dr. Sakthi Karunanithi, commented on this easement news saying that further easement of the restrictions is because of the hard work of people, business and local organisations.  He also added that despite the easement, it is still very important to follow health guidelines to keep the cases down and avoid further restrictions coming back in the future. 

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was glad to make the changes to the restrictions in place as local lockdowns were effective in controlling the virus.  In light of the pandemic’s infection rates, he stated that infection rates are seeing improvements and these attributed to efforts by local communities and authorities alongside the government’s test and trace systems.  

Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire faced stricter lockdown measures earlier in July due to a rise in coronavirus cases.   On the other hand, as different areas in the county experience varying levels of lockdown restrictions, measures are under constant review to fit different local community profiles. 

In light of this recent news, a casino was forced to close down operations hours after its reopening following the Government’s U-turn and subsequent extension of its coronavirus restrictions in the town. The casino in question is the Grosvernor Casino located in Bolton, United Kingdom.